TABSE Tidbits
January 2021
Comic Sensation Cedric the Entertainer Wants YOU to Register TODAY!!
NABSE Legislative Priorities
Correspondence received from Dr. Ackerman:
Despite all of the foregoing, NABSE is still on a mission, now more than ever. Pleased as we are with responses to the Declaration of Education Imperatives for the 21st Century, our work continues. NABSE President McFarland remains in communication with the Biden-Harris team, and outreach to Education Secretary-designate Dr. Miguel Cardona is underway. Rest assured that the timeline for NABSE's Legislative Priorities committee is intact. Therefore, completing the work of our collaboratives by April 1, 2021, is essential. Toward that end, our stellar collaborative conveners have reached out to their teams, framed the scope of work, and scheduled meetings, as planned.
I am excited to transition to the next phase of our work together. The vision of each collaborative is bold, so I can hardly wait for the flesh to come onto the bones! Onward and upward, NABSE!
Patricia A. Ackerman, Ph.D., Chair
NABSE Legislative Priorities Committee
NABSE Past President (1987-89)
Submitted by Rhonda Williams
NABSE Southwest Representative
TABSE Believes in Good Trouble
The Governance in Education Commission surveyed members during the Fall of 2020 to identify what was most desired and advocacy was the topic. We sought out Ms. LaJuana D. Barton, Chief of Staff of Texas Senator Royce West, to provide guidance & information on advocacy. Ms. Barton’s more than 25 years of experience provided the following key points:
•Know who you are so that you can express it to the legislator or their education staffer
•Identify your purpose
•Obtain the contact information for your legislator
•Identify the legislator’s position on your topic of interest
•Research the topic and be prepared to provide a solution
•Review the legislative agendas of other educational organizations to allow us to speak with one voice.
•And many other key points!
Ms. LaJuana D. Barton will be presenting, “Advocating fo Public Education”, during the Governance in Education Symposium on Saturday, February 20, 2020 at 11AM. Please join us to hear more about how we can impact the public education narrative during this legislative session. Let’s #SayItLouder!
Ty G. Jones
Advisor • Advocate • Educator
#SayItLoud!!
All paid TABSE members have been sent an electronic ballot from electionbuddy.com for our upcoming election. If you haven't received your ballot, check your SPAM.
TEPI 2021 Was a Success! #81strong
TEPI Can Do Virtually Anything!
TEPI 4th Legislature Pre-TASA Midwinter
On behalf of the Texas Education Policy Institute, we would like to thank all who attended the TEPI 4th Legislature Pre-TASA Midwinter session on Saturday, January 23. This year was our biggest attendance record to date.
We would like to thank our phenomenal sponsor and partner Curriculum Associates for their committed support for the event. We would also like to acknowledge the TEPI organizing team: Dr. Kimberly McLeod, Mae Olison, Aicha Davis, Bianca Avery, Dr. Darlene Breaux, Dr. Darryl Henson, Phyllis Williams, and Jamal Robinson for their commitment to advocacy while we planned and developed this exceptional program.
We are pleased to announce our 3rd TEPI Fellows Cohort. This cohort consists of 14 new TEPI Fellows who will officially be introduced at the TABSE State Conference Legislature Symposium this upcoming February. Over the next 2 years, they will be put to the task of developing policy and testifying on the behalf of our children and colleagues here in Texas. We wish them nothing but success as they work diligently on our behalf.
Among the notable attendees at the event were TABSE founder Dr. Donetta Goodall. Dr. Goodall stated that “this event was awesome.”
The day started with TABSE president Dr. David Harris and our TABSE Past President Dr. Kimberly McLeod welcoming our guests. Bianca Avery moderated the panel of Chief of Staffers from State Senator Borris Miles/Santiago Diaz, State Senator Royce West/LaJuana Barton, State Senator Beverly Powell/Avery Martinez, and Ender Reed-Interim Legislator Director for Harris County. They provided information and directives on how to gain relationships and communicate with chief staffers and other office personnel in the senate and representative offices. They gave strategies on how to present bills, testify, and possibly pass legislation.
State Senator Royce West, State Senator John Whitmire, State Senator Beverly Powell, State Senator Borris Miles, State Representative Mary Gonzalez, and State Representative Ron Reynolds were members of our state delegation in attendance. They shared legislative bills that will be entered for passing during the 2021 session. They noted that bills that are present in the interim reports are usually the ones that are passed during the session. They encouraged that everyone reviews those reports. The link for those reports is www.senate.texas.gov. This panel was moderated by Dr. Darlene Breaux and Dr. Darryl Henson.
For the 4th year, TALAS president & Superintendent of Garland ISD Dr. Ricardo Lopez and their members joined us and enjoyed gaining input from the senators and representatives.
Dr. McLeod moderated a panel of Professional and Community Engagement Organizations. Those guest panelists included Dr. Ricardo Lopez-TALAS, Dr. Chris Pichon-TABSE, Zeph Capo-Texas AFT, and Ann Williams, President of Alief ISD School Board and President of the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members. They all shared what their organization's priorities will be during the 2021 legislature session.
We were truly honored to host for the first time representatives from the federal level. U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee & U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey both shared with us President Biden’s priorities and the sense of urgency that we must have in addressing, advocating, and contacting our local congress politicians on legislation issues that affect our communities. This panel was moderated by Councilman Casey Thomas, II.
Among all the common themes shared were more resources to give directly to our schools and educators that are on the frontline, equity funding among school districts, increasing COVID-19 vaccines to at-risk populations, and addressing the Crown Act so that our students are not targeted for their appearance.
TEPI is growing significantly and will continue to make an impact on every level of government. TABSE has a long history of effective leadership. TEPI has allowed us not only to be effective leaders but influential policymakers. This is only just the beginning. We will continue to do everything possible to make sure our children have whatever they need to be successful. Come join us in the fight. There is always room for more soldiers in the battle for equity.
Submitted by Mae Olison
TEPI Organizer
TABSE Parlimentarian
Claudia Salinas
Phyllis Williams
Dr. Darlene Breaux
Dr. Donetta Goodall
Dr. Ricardo Lopez
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Royce West & SBOE Member Aicha Davis
Curriculum & Associates
The Honorable Ann Williams
State Rep. Mary Gonzalez
Senator Borris Miles
Have you nominated an exceptional Educator for the Gala?
TABSE PARTNERS
Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA)
Attention TABSE Teachers,
DonorsChoose.org wants to help you fund your big idea for your students! Kindergarten through 12th-grade TABSE educators located at public schools, public charter schools, or Office of Head Start schools is eligible to receive a share of $50,000 in grants. Even better, donations are now being MATCHED by the TABSE partner Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA). What your donors give, AMBA gives the same! Act fast – the sooner you enter your project, the more exposure it’ll get!
Click here to learn more about the TABSE X AMBA Donors Choose Match Offer.
Click here to view the DonorsChoose Teacher Guide.
Don’t miss out on this exclusive TABSE membership offer!
Thanks,
TABSE
Affiliate's in Action
Save the Date
6:60 - 9:30
HAABSE Prepares for TARC
Dr. Kwabena Mensah
Upcoming Events
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
TABSE is excited to continue its golfing tradition which provides scholarships in honor of Dr. Elaine Bailey and some friendly competition amongst our members. While golf is a sport that adheres to most COVID safety guidelines, we have put some additional safety protocols in place. Not only do we have an electronic prepay option for golfers, we also have the following:
• Golf Carts will be staged 6 feet apart
• All golf carts will be sanitized and cleaned before use
• Only 6 customers in the Bar or Pro Shop at a time
We look forward to seeing you out on the green and remember:
Born to golf. Forced to work.
Author Unknown
Submitted by Bashelia Ward
Tournament Organizer
TABSE Recording Secretary
FWAABSE Remembers a Legend: Dr. Dennis Dunkins
Submitted by
Marron McWilliams
FWAABSE President
Marron McWilliams
Dr. Jay Cummings
Shirley Ison-Newsome
TABSE Celebrates...
Ty G Jones and Carla Windfont
Tia Locke-Simmons -Named 2020 Gifted and Talented Administrator of the Year
Texas Alliance of Black School Educators
Email: info@tabse.net
Website: www.tabse.net
Location: 3100 Richmond Avenue, STE 306, Houston, TX, 77098
Phone: 937-617-1706
Facebook: facebook.com/TexasAllianceofBlackSchoolEducators
Twitter: @tabse_net